Container ship for handling package freight



L. D. SMITH 2,440,306

Filed April 22, 1944 5 sheets-sheet 1 April 27, 1948.

CONTAINER SHIP FoR HANDLING PACKAGE FREIGHT April 27, 1948. i L Q SMITH 2,440,306

CONTAINER SHIP FOR HANDLING PACKAGE FREIGHT L. D. SMITH 2,440,306 CONTAINER SHP FOR HANDLING PACKAGE FREIGHT Filed April 22, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet C5 April 27, 194s.

L. D. SMITH 2,440,306

Filed April 22, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TUR.

CONTAINER SHIP FOR HANDLING PACKAGE FREIGHT April 27, 1948.

April 27, y1948. L, D. SMITH 2,440306 CONTAINER SHIP FOR HANDLING PACKAGE FREIGHT N IN V EN TOR.

Patented Apr. 27,` 1 948 CONTAINER SHIP FOR HANDLING PACKAGE FREIGHT Leathem D. Smith, Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; Alva Smith administratrix of said VLeathem D.

Smith, deceased Application April z2, 1944, serial No. 532,240

9 Claims. (Cl. 114-72) The invention relates to a container ship capable of storing package freight containers in one or more holds and has reference in particular to an improved construction of container ship having fixed beams in the holds for supporting less containers for the same, thereby making it possible to transport such miscellaneous freight from any shipping point to its destination without rehandling, repacking or crating that would otherwise be necessary. The containers are of standard size and a convenient number may therefore be carried on any conventional railroad at car. This permits the containers to be initially loaded by the manufacturer or shipper, sent over the railroad to the loading terminal for the container ship, and stored in the ship in a manner requiring the minimum of time, eifo-rt and space, with the result that intermediate handling [of the individual packages is entirely eliminated.

Another object is to provide a container ship having fixed beams in one or more holds and by substantially eliminating the top deck large open hatches are formed so that ready access may be had fior placing the package freight containers in position on the beams or for removing the containers therefrom. i

A further object of the invention is to provide a container ship having fopen fixed beams for supporting a pluralityof package freight containers within one or more holds of the ship and which beams will be notched for receiving lthe containers in a manner to securely lock them in place.

A further object is to provide a container ship having one or more holds equipped with container supporting beams of special notched arrangement and forming different levels within the hold with the beams alternately extending longitudinally and transversely as regards the different levels.

With these and various other objects in, view,f

2 the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation, as Will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended hereto. Y

In the drawings, which illustrate an embodiment of the device 'and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure 1 is a part elevational and part ver-tical sectional View of a cargo vessel of the self-unloader type illustrating the container supporting beams within the various holds and the gantry crane `on the top d eck in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the ship shown in Figure 1 illustrating the manner` of storingthe package freight containers on the supporting beams therefor;

Figure 3 is a verticalV transverse sectional view of a ship having a flat tank bottom equipped with the container supporting beams in accordance with the invention;

Figure 4is `a, vertical sectional view taken longitudinally through a portion of the ship of Figure 3 and showing the arrangement of theA container supporting beams within a hold of the ship;

Figure 5 is a horizontal plan view taken substantially along line 5-5` of 'Figure 3 illustrating the notched :construction of the supporting beams and the arrangement lof package freight containers in supported relation on the beams;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a package freight container embodying the improved features of the invention;

Figure '7 is an end elevational view of the container shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary top plan View of the container; i

Figure 9 is a detail View, parts being shown in section, of one end of a spring tension tie rod for the containers;

` Figure 10 is an elevational view showing the container in collapsed position;

Figure 11 is Aa perspective view showing the socket for receiving and releasably locking the headed end of a top pipe batteri for the container; and

Figure 12 isa fragmentary sectional view illustrating the manner of removably fastening the end pipe battens to the' side Walls of the container.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figures 1 and 2; the numeral Ill indicates the hull ci a vessel having` several cargo holds Il extending for a part of the vessels length, said holds 'bein-g formed by the transverse bulkheads I2 and having one or more open hatches I3 providing access to the holds. Conveyor tunnels I4 and I5, Figure 2, extend longitudinally of the ship under the several holds II for removing the cargo therefromzinthe' event"'one .orm'or-eofi thev holds have "been employed for-'-transporting-bulk cargo in the place of the package freight containers. are each provided with oppositely,inclinedv roofu members I6 and I1. the material to the respective sides of the tunnels from which the inclined bottom2mernberss.-oi'stire:` vessel direct the material to Witl'iin the tunnels: As evident from Figure 2, a tunnel is located on each side of the longitudinalicenter..li-ne..-of-the. vessel and along this center line the inclined memb-ers I8 comprise the bottom members-ontheehold. On the opposite-.iside of each tunnel the slopping. side members; IS-form- `the bottom ,of the hold: Whenrthe: doorsiof eachztunnel-` arebpen material enters the tunnels-- and. is removedby scrapers in amanner,Y Wellrk-nown zand-understood in the self-unloader type of boats.

For: purposes: of the presentinvention.- the .boat showrrn Figure'lissprovidedlonits top deels-.with a whirley- ZGKaHdWith-@az travelling -gantry crane 2|.' Said crane is adapted tor-traveldongitudinallyof the top decken-the rails4 2.2-, as shown-in Figure V2, Vand .therefore-thercrane--can be.i used-.toload and 'unload any one-0fv the. holds- I-I with the containers.- Said .craneaessentially consists ofgend uprights 23 which have rolling contact the rails- 2?. trussed and reinforced horizontal .member 24pmvidedwith a suitable'guideway adapted..to.-ac commodate the Wheeled. carriage 25,J which `accordingly.- has movement-from one side-or,v the gantrycrane to; the-other: To. facilitatethe.- handling ofthecontainersfwith respect-tdthe dock or loading terminal for the:-vess.el;-thegantry crane is provided. with7 an` extensiom 2S having pivotal connection. withx-.onesidefofr the adjacent end member. 23. W-hen the extension is-extended; as-show-n-in- Figure 2, afsupported-guide- Way over which the carriage 25 is able to travelV is provided above thedock,.and. it is therefore-possible-to lift'thecontainerssdirectlyi-romsthe.- dock andstore thenV in-thelholdfofithefvesselfon tofun load theY same.n directly onto; thee dock. Whenl not infuse :the-extension. 2.6 is-fnlded :backin lcontactwith thehorizontalr member 2I1 andiintthis position the sameis'-v out. of: theeW-a-y although readily available for use aaany-t-ime.A

Forr accommodatin'gthe 'compact storage -of^the package freight containers-rWithin,` one? or more holds of the. shipfthe invention: contemplates an open beam construction. More particularly, each. hold, or; as manyrholdsf as may; be: desired, are:` equipped WithV notched; beams; forming; different levels Within the hold and'. large: open hatches are provided: to` facilitate access; to the beams. In order'thatpackage.-freight containers of standard sizemaypassthroughoneleveland be;

supported on: thenotched beamsat a different level, the supporting beams alternatelyextend longitudinally and transversely as regards said levels.. The -constructionris clearly. evident from an 'inspection'. of. Figur-es"I l; and l 2;-4 illustrating.l the; self -unloader type ofship-andalso-Figures Stand 4, which show the conventional type havingthe ilat tank bottom.

As' previously explained-,1 the: several. holds I I are formed; by the transverselyextending-4.

The roofmembersdirect;.

The: end. uprights-z are joined. by'- the As best shown in Figure 2 the tunnels: 101i 4 partitions or bulkheads I2. The longitudinal beams 29, Figures 1 and 2, therefore extend from bulkhead to bulkhead, whereas the transverse beams 28 and 30 extend from one side Wall 3| of the hold I to the opposite side Wall 32. The side Walls 3| and 32 are reinforced and strengthened'; .at1Q intervals by thew vertically extending beams 33:: The transversebeams 28|.and 3G are suitably secured at their respective ends to the vertical beams 3S. The longitudinally extending beams.2.9.are.also supported in any suitable mannerrat their respective ends from the bulkheads and` it will be observed from Figure 2 that notched; horizontallygextending brackets 34 are providedxtozftake-:rthe place of the beams adjacent the side Walls ofthe-vessel.

In Figures 3.and.4 of the hold of a conventional ship having a flat tank bottom is shown equipped withsthe-topen beam construction for storing the containers. The hull: of the vessel indicated by\v numerals-35 hasside-Walls It-.and 3| which are. reinforced at -inter-valsfonthe inside of the boatbythe verti'ca1-me1nbers3k. The transverse supporting. beams. lin-.are secured `attheir respective. ends to.4 these. members by. the brackets I. The longitudinalsupporting beams. 42 Aextend from bulkhead to bulkhead and brackets-43er similar means are employed, in. securingA the vbeams to saidbulkheads. If additionalsupportis required the-uprights, 44..and.45,.may bia-employed inter.- mediate theends of the-beams. The beams are 'rf-shape. in. cross.-V sectionf andthey arelarge enoi-lgh-` to..accommodatethe. uprights. Certain uprights. Willcontactf. the, lower smallange of thebeams., and as` regards, the top horizontal flange, the uprights may contact the middle area, leaving the. overhanging anges-oneach side as supporting. portions. forv the containers. Uprights 45restontheilat tank bottom 39. andsup.-

oport-.thebeams 42', whereas, the uprights lis eX- tendlbetweenbeams.lllland 42.

Figu1e-5.i11us.trates the. manner in which the side. edges of. the.. beams arev notched. at regular intervals. The notches IlI and 4'Ifreceive the .legs

of.. thecontainer andare spaceda distance equal to. the.over all.width off the container. In other Words,.the.dis.tance between notches i'and,v 47| is actually, the. distance. between. the legs on the shorterv sideof. the container. The beams are spaced adistancemeasuredirom center to center slightly greater.. than. the, length between the-legs of .'thezcontainer.

In. accordance.. With the invention the containers are rectangular in plan and therefore the ,distancebetween notches-46 and .4.1 is less than the spacebetween the. side. edge ofv one beamand the. side edge-of. thenext adjacent. beam. This manner. of` spacing` the beamsrenders itpossible to` lower thecontainers.` past certain beams for support onzbeams forming, the lower level. The containers are suiiiciently narrow. toV pass through theA space between. beams and the beams on the level beloware properly arranged for receiving and supportingthem, provided the transverse and longitudinal positioningv of thek beams for the diflerentlevelsis employed.

Thefnotches.v 46- and 57|. are formed in the horizontal flange oi' the T-shaped beam. Each notch. receivesy a. legv of. the container and the portion-daftherefore provides the support for the 42 in Figure 5, auxiliary brackets 50 are provided to supplementth'e beams. In said gure the brackets extendalong and are suitably secured to the side walls 36 and 31. For the transverse beams 40 similar brackets 5| extend along and are secured to the bulkheads.

For maximum utilization of the space within the hold of the ship it is necessary to locate the containers as close to each other as possible. As shown in the drawings very little space is left unoccupied. By providing one or more .large hatch'es over the hold the containers are easily located within or removed from the holds. This speeds up the loading and unloading and reduces the time required for the ship to remain in dock. Th'e container ship and the package freight containers to be presently described in detail also eliminate intermediate handling of the individual packages and further eliminate hand handling of the cargo on the ship.

The collapsible container of the invention is shown in side and end elevational views in Figures 6 and 7. Numeral 55 indicates the iloor plate of the container, which is supported in elevated position by four legs, numeral 56 indicating the two legs adjacent the left end of the container, Figure 6, and numeral 51 indicating the two legs adjacent th'e right end. The legs comprise corner elements of the container and have a right angled shape in cross section. End iioor channels 58 are located at each end of the floor plate, being suitably secured thereto and which in turn form securing means for the legs of the container. The sides of the floor plate 55 are provided with base plates 59 and 60 which are of greater height than the end channels 58 and thus extend above the iioor. Said base plates likewise have the legs of the container secured thereto, whereby the bottom portion of the container constitutes an integral unit with' the iioor plate, channels, base plates-and legs all being secured to one another. The base plates 59 and 60 are reinforced at intervals bythe vertical stiifeners 6| and plate brackets 62 extend from each side plate to the floor plate at the respective ends of the same.

From an inspection of Figures '7 and 10 it will be observed that the base plate 60 extends above the floor plate to a height somewhat in excess of that of base plate 59. This construction is resorted to in order to make possible the collapsing of the container, as best shown in Figure 10. The side uprights 63 and 64 are each fabricated from structural parts, as shown by Figure 6, and each upright is pivotally secured along its bottom edge to one of the base platesA comprising an integral part of the container. A full hinge 65 and two half hinges 66 and 61 may be employed. Each upright essentially consists of a top brace channel 68, a bottom brace channel 69, and end channel members 10 and 1 The parts are suitably secured to form a substantially rectangular frame which is reinforced and strengthened by the diagonally extending braced channels 12 and the horizontally extending channels 13. Platebrackets 14 may be located at one or more corners and the channels 12 may be additionally secured to the top and bottom channels by means of plate brackets such as 15. For lifting the containers two or more lift rings 16 are suitably seflied in spaced relation to the top brace channe Since each side upright is pivotally secured forming the bottom portion of the container, it

6 is necessary to provide releasable means for holding the uprights in vertical position. This structure essentially consists of top pipe battens, indicated by numeral 18, Figures 7 and 8. Batten sockets 19 are suitably secured to the inside surface ofthe top brace channels 68 of each' upright and the top pipe battens are provided at their respective ends with a cap portion 80, see Figure 11. The inside wall of each socket is provided with a centrally positioned pin 8| and the face of each cap portion 80 is formed with a recess or opening 82 somewhat elongated in extent and leading from the circumference of the cap portion to slightly beyond its center. It will therefore be understood that when the top pipe battens are inserted in place with the cap portions 89 entering the sockets, the pins 8| will be received by the recesses or openings 82. The top pipe battens will remain in pl-ace unless positively lifted from their sockets but it is relatively simple to lock the battens in place merely by turning them 180 degrees, since the pins 8| will then prevent lifting of th'e battens from their sockets. The locking action, however, is releasable since the battens need only be turned to properly align the recesses or openings 82 whereby they can be lifted.

The spring tension. rods 84 extend diagonally at each end of the container. Said rods serve to prevent a'racking distortion to the container when the container isliited.` For collapsing purposes an-d to also facilitate unloading the spring tension rods are removable. Each rod at one end has connection with a pin 85 extending inwardly fromI the outer wall of the end channel members 10 and 1|. At the opposite end of the tension rods a bayonet type of opening 86, Figure 9, is provided in the enlarged head 81. Said head, by means of the opening, is releasably secured to pin 88 extending inwardly from the plate brackets 62. Each rod has limited spring tension fby means of the structure shown in Figure 9. The enlarged head 81 is formed on part 89 of the tension rod, which is separable from the main part 84. By means of the coil spring 90 and its associated stnucture limited separation is possible, with the result that the tension rod can be releasably secured to parts of the container to apply the desired tension to the uprights. The coil spring 90 is conned between the washer 9| suitably welded to part 89 and the cylinder 92 secured to the main portion 84 of thetension rod by means `of the threaded engagement which the cylinder has with the boss 93; Said boss is suitably secured to the terminal end of said main portion 84 of the rod and it will therefore be seen that any tension applied to the rod will permit elongation by compression of coil spring 90.

It will be 4clear from Figure 7 that the diagonal crossing of the tension rods 84 does not close the end of the container to an extent preventing inadvertent removal or loss of the individual packages stored within the container. However, it is desirable, since the containers embody the collapsing feature, to provide closure means which will be relatively simple in nature and easily removed or installed. For this purpose end pipe battens 94 are employed. For receiving said end pipe battens the end channels 10 and 1| are closed by plates 95. As best shown in Figure 12, the plates 95 are provided with a plurality of openings 96 and each end lbatten is slotted as at 91. The battens are thus located in their n proper opening and dropped into place, with the result that they are releasably heldin connected sans@ ..i@historians-shaw means. of the. Slotted bsamsl..'it bsinel'fidfsltood. that-'the beams are. so E spaced: and thatvthe. slots are like.- wisesqspaced t the four legs of; a container( 'Rstie "whispers n the beams is .seletisslr Simple. an the oilstflliol mathe desired; advantage. in. at. the slotted beams re.- lsasab1y1ea-the C911 Sie 15190.96 eliminating theneed for lashingyofthe c 7intainers.

To...fac.i1.itate.1oadisa cases-both endsff a @ntainstmav be left enea When fullyv leaded. the end eine... battons, are.v dropped. in place. and; the tensioarodsatethea applied will@ ende Ofiihe Container! 'Ebel legs Support. the.. Containers a distanceabovetbaoortarender.possible.the use of lit-.trulssfor movinsthemrpmrlae t0 .place attire loadinaterminal and onthe dock,

Fromme.. foregoing.. the. various advantages. in trtnSPOitirlg-f miscellaneousv freight by the container sbiaorthe invention, and package freight containers designed'. particularly for. use therewith may be summarized as followgs:

1^, Reduction of the.. loss and cost of individual handling ofgsmallitemsof; cargo to and from. the shin together. with. the., elimination. of. damage tothacargo. at thesepoints..

2-.- Elimination of t the. dangerof shifting of the Calgatsea.

3; Saving. ships time in port; by. having, containersaleady packediready forloadins.

4. Saving in the` expense of dock crews working.. over timasincatheycan load the containers during, regular. working hours.

5. Reduction. to. a, minimum. offthe man power required tohandlecalgo on. the. ship over similar designs, which.. require.' a shifting of the cargo inthe holds after. it hasbeen lowered through the hatch.

6; Permitting the unloading. o f.- partial cargos at intermediate ports quickly and efciently withontunduei layover. and:- wthout making previous arrangements at these ports for dock handling facilities.

Theinvention. is nottobe limited to or by details ofconstruction of. the. particular embodiment thereof. illustratedY in the drawings as various other. forms of; the device will: ofy course be apparent to those skilled in the. art without departing trom.: the. spirit.. ofi the invention or the scopeottheclaims.

What: isl claimed. is.:

l.. Ina. ship ofv thecharactendesoribed, in combination, an open. cargohold havinga plurality of spaced beams disposedY horizontally Within the hold, certain otsaidfbeamslying. in one horizontal plane and: otherbeams. lying. in a dilerent horizontal plane, means. connecting. said beams at their. respective lends. to. the ship structure xvheiebythe. beams compriseV an integral part thereof; said beams presenting, a flat supporting surface for. substantially. their. entire length, and said flat supporting.. surfaces having.. pairs 0f notches to receive fixed; elements on uniformly sized containers to holdI tliernl against lateral movement.

Z. A ship o f the characterdescrbed; as defined by Claim 1.v wherein. a, relatively largehatch openef-. is. formados th Atondeck of. the. ship in substantial alignment with. the hold tdfacilitateac- Goss.. t9 the..beams.-

als

hold, crr'amqo'f saidbleanisiiying trigone no son;

tal plane and. other beamslying in aL different horizontal plane, connecting .meansor .thgbealhs joining. them at theirrespetiveend's'to.the.shlp

structure, 'whereby' thefbeans comprise an in.- tegral4 vpart thereof; and said. beams. having notchesin spacedrelatio fon the respectiv sides crimey beams for. noidingagainst' lateral. m ment fixed elements ori'fcontainers, d 'lefspa of the beams in anylhoriz'otalplane.beinggr than the 'maximum lngitudi al distance..

be." tween the notches or. anyv bearnfvvhen Vmeasured from center to center. v Y

4. Ina ship of thecharacter` described, in cornbinatifm. an Oven.- Carso heldhavna arlllraltv of beams horizontall-y` disposed-A.. and. spa vertically so as to form differentlevels within the hold, said beams being substantially fiiedly, sesured at their ends to` the ship. structure, said beams in cross-section forming. a T and present,- ing a dat supporting surface, and said-l flatsupportingv surface having notchesy formedl therein spaced longitudinally of the beams.. on. theK re.- spective sides thereof for holding. against lateral :movement complementary members, hired to containers.

5. A ship of the characterdescribed, as defined by claim 4, wherein access to thebeams is facilitated by a relatively largellatchv opening. in. the deck substantially the size of the hold. in. plan and which is directly over the` hold.

6. In a ship of the character described, in cornbination, an open cargohold, includingthespace from side Wall to side Wallofthe ship, and from one bulk-headfto an adjacent bulk-head, a. plurality of beams Within the hold.A disposed horizontally and spaced vertically tofolm different levels within thev hold, the horizontally disposedbeams of one level extending transversely of the. ship from side Wall to side Wall and the horizontally disposed beams forming. another level extending longitudinally. of the ship. from bulk-head to bulk-head, said beams being substantially lxedly secured at their ends to the. ship. structure. Whereby the beams comprise an integral part thereof and each beam presenting a flat supporting surface having notches spaced longitudinally von the respective sides of the same 'for holding" against lateral movement complementary members 'lined to containers. v I i 7. In a ship of the character described, in combination, an open cargo hold including the space from side wall. to sidewall of the ship'andfrom one bulk-head'to an adjacent bulla-tready ap'lirality of beams within the hold. disposed horizontally and spaced vertically to form diierert levels Within the holds the horizontally disposed'bearhs of one level extending'transverselybi thewshi'p l from side Wall to side Walland the horizontally disposed beams forming another levelextending longitudinally ofthe ship from bulk-headtobullihead, each beam presenting a flat supporting surface having notches spacedlongitudinally'othe respective 'sides of the same; said beam's'being substantially xedly securedl at their end-s to the ship structure whereby the beams comprise an integral part thereof andthe beams of each level being spaced from each other` a distance Ygreater than the maximum longitudinal distance 'between the. notches'of any'. beam measured from center to center. 8. In a ship of. the character described as defined by claim 7, wherein the horizontally disposed beams alternately extend transversely and UNITED STATES PATENTS longitudinally for the diierent levels. Number Name Date 9. In a snip of the character described as de- 630,692 Burrell Aug, 20, 1901 ned by claim 7, wherein the horizontally ds- 5 1,661,855 Ritson Mar, 6, 1926 posed beams alternately extend transversely and 1,663,649 Elkins Mar. 27, 1928 longitudinally for the different levels, and 2,070,070 Stoner Feb. 9, 1937 wherein one or more relatively large hatch open- 1,029,546 sheywood June 11, 1912 ings are formed in the top deck in substantial 929,139 Kirchner July 27, 1909 alignment with the hold to facilitate access to the l0 2,287,686- Keuett June 3o, 1942 beams. 2,363,747 Lofvald Nov. 28, 1944 LEATHEM D. SMITH- 1,900,867 010s Mar. 7, 1933 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 15 le of this patent: 

